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Charity needs warm clothes, blankets for low income Las Crucens

By Lindsey Anderson

landerson@lcsun-news.com @l_m_anderson on Twitter

Posted:
11/25/2013 06:44:14 PM MST

Wylene Saunders, manager of Las Cruces Rescue Gospel Rescue Mission Clothing Room, looks through the last of donated coats Monday as the recent cold weather has brought a shortage of warm clothes for those in need. (Photos by Niki Rhynes — For the Sun-News)

LAS CRUCES >> There are four jackets on the rack of women's coats at the Las Cruces Gospel Rescue Mission Clothing Room. Two of those are jean jackets, providing little protection against the 34-degree temperatures and light snow outside.

The box of men's mittens holds a stray glove, its pair gone. There are a few thin blankets sitting in large cardboard cylinders, ready for distribution.

The room's shelves are scattered with pairs of discarded men's shoes, but most shelves are bare.

The Las Cruces Gospel Rescue Mission's Clothing Room is seeking donations of cold-weather gear as the temperatures drop in the region and an increasing number of Las Crucens in need to turn to the free store to keep warm.

"It doesn't matter what they look like as long as they're warm," volunteer LuAnn Burke said.

A handful of hats, scarves, gloves and shoes are on display at the Gospel Rescue Mission Clothing Room. The store desperately needs donations of winter clothes.

How You Can Help

Donate: New and used coats, blankets, shoes, clothes, scarves, hygiene products and more

Where: Drop by the Gospel Rescue Clothing Room, 1416 S. Solano Drive

When: 9 to 11 a.m. Monday and Friday or 9 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays

Volunteer: Call Wylene Saunders at 575-642-9619 to volunteer in the Clothing Room or Maria Espinosa at 575-571-9842 to volunteer at the Gospel Rescue Mission.

Reporter Lindsey Anderson can be reached at 575-541-5462.

Only a few pairs of mens shoes were available Monday at the Gospel Rescue Mission Clothing Room, where donations of warm clothes are needed for low-income Las Crucens as the weather grows colder. (Niki Rhynes — For the Sun-News)